The Adventure Tourism Coalition has written to the Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport with concerns following the Province’s August 27 announcement, Taking the Next Step to Modernize B.C. Forest Management, and the proposed Working Forest Landscape Model and what it could mean for tourism businesses operating on Crown land.

In their letter, the coalition recognizes the significant challenges facing British Columbia’s forest sector and supports efforts to provide greater certainty improve planning and sustain rural development, but says adventure tourism needs to be part of the conversation from the beginning. Many tourism businesses rely on the same forests, wildlife, waterways, recreation areas and scenic landscapes that could be affected by a new zoning model.

The Coalition is calling for tourism to be included in the development of the model from the outset, with opportunities for affected operators to provide input before areas are selected. It also wants existing tourism businesses, Crown tenures and investments to be considered alongside other land-use values, including wildlife, recreational opportunities, viewscapes, and watersheds.

With tourism and outdoor recreation identified as priority growth sectors for British Columbia, the Coalition is asking the Province to ensure decisions about Crown land support both a strong forest sector and the tourism businesses and communities that depend on these landscapes.

Read the full letter here